A -- Notice of intent to procure on a sole source basis

The contract involves a sole source procurement for collecting regional economic data related to fishery-dependent boroughs and census areas in Southwest Alaska. The work will be performed in collaboration with Mr. Hans Geier from the School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences in Fairbanks, Alaska. Mr. Geier brings over 15 years of continuous experience working with the IMPLAN database, which is essential for analyzing the regional economies in Southwest Alaska. His deep understanding of rural Alaskan economies, local fishing industries, and established connections with NOAA allow him to effectively engage with a typically uncooperative industry to gather necessary data through personal interviews. Additionally, his expertise extends to budget-focused research, providing a practical approach to collecting and managing data tailored for IMPLAN, a capability unique to him. This acquisition is a simplified procurement conducted by the Department of Commerce, NOAA office based in Seattle, Washington, and is not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. The solicitation number is WASC-05-0590, and all responsible sources are invited to submit bids or proposals for consideration despite the sole source basis. The designated point of contact for this contract is Shannon McIlroy, Purchasing Agent at NOAA. The procurement aims to leverage Mr. Geier’s specialized skills and longstanding experience to ensure accurate and comprehensive economic data collection essential for regional planning and fisheries management.